CHRISTMAS joy descended on Wotton with a late-night shopping event and a window dressing competition.

Store owners competed for a top prize of £125 by decorating their shop windows to match a Christmas carol of their choice.

There were 42 entries in total, with Clarence’s gift shop coming out on top, followed by Longfield Hospice and H&H Relish.

Wotton Town Council clerk Sue Bailey said: “The windows provided an excellent backdrop to the individually lit Christmas trees along the main shopping streets, all in time for the Under-the-Edge late-night shopping event.

“It makes such a difference to the town as a whole and the five judges were very hard pressed to decide between the top 15.”

Cash prizes for the event were presented at the town council meeting on Monday, December 19 and the competition was supported by the Heritage Centre.

Several shops were highly commended by the judges, such as Wotton Travel, Daisy M Vintage,Victoria Fabrics, Willo & Co, TSB, The Ark, Norville Opticians and Four Market Street hair salon.

The competition added to the festive celebrations of Wotton’s late-night Christmas shopping event on Saturday, December 3.

There were many stalls, funfair rides and musical entertainment, stilt walkers, a fire engine and Father Christmas himself.

The family-friendly event, which ran from 4pm to 7pm, was organised by Nicki Nevitt, owner of Four Market Street hair salon, with help from her friends.

She said: “It was a great success, we got a good response from everyone involved, lots of shops stayed open late especially, and lots of people visited both the stalls in the street and the high street stores too.

“I have to start some of the preparations in January like road closures, we hope to do the same thing next year, making it bigger and better.”

The Edge coffee shop had a pop-up Prosecco bar and sold pulled-pork rolls and churros with chocolate sauce.

There was also an array of competitions on the night.

Rowen Moss won the best decorated children’s muffin.

Cathy York claimed first prize for best tasting and decorated adult muffins and Daphiye Parker won the flower arrangement contest.

Jeff Walshe, a member of the Heritage Centre team, said: “Nicki did a remarkable job, the streets were full of happy residents enjoying the atmosphere created by the various choirs singing carols and the many flamboyant stalls.

“We hope that she will be behind another event next year.”